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Cooler x O’Neill: A weekend in the sticks with Suzi Kemp

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This month I headed out on a road trip, past Stone Henge and beyond, to Devon and Cornwall. I love taking time out to enjoy the countryside, ocean and elements. I find it clears my head, reminds me what’s good and inspires me to make work!

When I reached the Devon countryside I went on this awesome riverside walk, under brilliant green oak trees glowing in the sunlight.

I also stumbled upon a huge lilac rhododendron plant, with its purple flowers reflecting in the water. Just up from this was a rope swing too, which was fun but scary as the river looked icy cold!

The best day of my break was driving down to Cornwall, and spending the day surfing at Polzeath. The sky was incredibly blue and the sun burning hot, and I had a huge smile on my face all day. I also got to take my O’Neill bikini out for its first dip in the actual ocean (under a wetsuit of course, I’m not that brave).

After getting chilled off in the water I had my O’Neill hoody to wear on the journey home, you might recognise it from this film I made with Luli Perez!

Anyway here is a photo of me being generally snug and warm, post-ocean adventure.

My trip inspired me to paint and draw, here is a piece that I wanted to share with you, a sort-of shrine to both the land and the sea.

I painted a shell a turquoise sea blue, and let it dry, before painting a wild rose design in the centre. It’s a little piece of folk art to remind myself of the beach and its beauty, as well as the wild flowers I saw in countryside hedgerows. I collected some more shells washed up on the beach, so I can paint other colours and designs. I’m back in the city now, but will be keeping my eyes open for more natural treasures in the kerbs, canals and in the cracks in the paving – you should too!

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